MTV Names Janet Jackson an Icon

March 12 -- LOS ANGELES — MTV pulled out all the stops Saturday night, as the video music channel saluted the multitalented Janet Jackson with a star-studded celebration, honoring her as its first-ever MTV Icon.

The glittering talent roster included Destiny's Child, Macy Gray, 'N Sync, Jessica Simpson, and Aaliyah, among many others — and though many of the stars are of a younger generation than the 35-year-old Jackson, none have careers that are more vital: Jackson's latest single, "All for You," broke chart records last week, by being added to the rotation of every single pop, rhythmic, and urban station that reports to trade magazine Radio & Records.

The show, which was shot live-to-tape for broadcast tomorrow, consisted mostly of celebrity tributes and charged live musical performances. One highlight was Mya, Pink, and Usher's dance tribute, where each did a separate Janet-style dance routine to a classic hit and then a final song that included all three workin' it together.

Gray added her own unique flavor to Jackson's "Love Will Never Do," while Destiny's Child didn't hold back on a cover of "Let's Wait Awhile," and the hard rockers of Buckcherry took "Nasty Girl" to an even more down-and-dirty place. 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake and Chris Kirkpatrick took a more intimate with their performance of "That's the Way Love Goes."

But the centerpiece of the show came with Jackson's own performance. She and two dancers were lowered from the ceiling, curled up in hoops with microphones in hand and then hit the stage jammin' with "All for You."

Jackson, dressed all in white in a half-tuxedo, half-halter outfit, didn't miss a beat and was bursting with the same energy and charisma that energized America's pop music scene more than 10 years ago.

Her musical family — sans superstar Michael — was also on hand for the event. Jermaine expressed how proud he was of his kid sister. "We love it," he said. "She's a representative of the whole Jackson family, and the fact that we've laid the foundation, and she's picked in up and ran with it, that's fine with us."